Flooding prompts fight for bridge upgrade

The independent Member for Burnett, Rob Messenger, says he is disappointed the State Government has not prioritised upgrading the Essendean Bridge north-west of Bundaberg in southern Queensland.

Last month, Mr Messenger asked the Government when it planned to upgrade, strengthen and flood-proof the bridge near Rosedale.

He says it has flooded at least six times already this year.

"After every flood event of course the engineers have to go out and inspect the bridge and so we've learnt from that answer that at least six times in 2010 the engineers have gone out and inspected the bridge after a flood event," he said.

The Government says it will spend $20 million this financial year upgrading bridges in the area.

Mr Messenger says he wants to know how often the Essendean Bridge has been inspected after floods in the past five years.

"What it's going to show is that the Essendean Bridge floods regularly and it cuts off the community of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy from vital medical services [and] educational services," he said.